I let out a breath I had not realized I was holding.

My father’s shoulders relaxed slightly.

Across the aisle, Martin Collins’s face flushed a deep, angry red.

“Now,” Judge Vance said, turning her attention to a thick manila folder. “We will proceed directly to the final division of assets.”

“Your Honor,” Vance quickly intervened. “We request a continuance to review—”

“Denied,” Judge Vance said. “This case has been on my docket for six months.”

“I have reviewed the forensic audit report submitted by the plaintiff.”

She turned a page, her eyes scanning the columns of numbers.

“This court is deeply disturbed by what these documents reveal,” she said.

She looked directly at Claire.

“Mrs. Whitaker, you have claimed under oath that you had no knowledge of your family’s business accounts.”

“Yet, on October fourteenth of last year, you personally signed an authorization transferring four million dollars from Whitaker Construction into an offshore account.”

Claire’s hand flew to her collarbone, her fingers clutching her pearls.

“That was a standard business transaction,” she stammered.

“Quiet, Claire,” her lawyer whispered sharply, but it was too late.